DANA 
A  Sermon. 


BV 
4260 
M5 
1837 


REV.    DANIEL    DANA'S 


ANNUAL   ELECTION    SERMON. 


DELIVERED  AT  THE 


ANNUAL    ELECTION 

ON  WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  4, 1837, 

BEFORE 

HIS  EXCELLENCY  EDWARD  EVERETT, 

GOVERNOR, 

HIS  HONOR   GEORGE  HULL, 

LIEUTENANT   GOVERNOR, 

THE  HONORABLE  COUNCIL, 

AND 

THE   LEGISLATURE   OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 


BY   DANIEL   DANA,   D  D. 

v*i 

Pastor  of  a  Church  in  Newburyport. 


Boston: 

DUTTOX  AND   WENTWORTH,  PRINTERS   TO   THE   STATE. 


LIBRARY 
T  OF  CALIFORNIA 

SANTA  BARBARA 


Commontucaltf)  of 


IN  SENATE,  JANUARY  5,  1837. 

Ordered,  That  Messrs.  KIMBALL,  CHILDS,  and  H.  WILLIAMS,  be  a  Committee 
to  present  the  thanks  of  the  Senate  to  the  Rev.  DANIEL  DANA,  D.  D.  for  the  dis- 
course yesterday  delivered  by  him  before  the  Government  of  the  Commonwealth, 
and  to  request  a  copy  for  publication. 

Attest, 

CHA'S  CALHOUN,  Clerk. 


SERMON. 


Revelation,  xxii.  2. 
AND  THE  LEAVES  OF  THE  TREE  WERE  FOR  THE  HEALING  OF  THE  NATIONS. 

THIS  is  a  great  and  auspicious  day.  It  beholds 
the  Fathers  of  the  Commonwealth  assembled  to 
exercise  its  sovereign  powers  ;  to  devise  the  means 
to  perpetuate  its  liberties,  and  promote  its  order, 
and  its  happiness.  It  sees  them  bending  before  the 
throne  of  the  Supreme  Being,  in  grateful  acknow- 
ledgment of  his  past  protection  and  beneficence, 
and  in  humble  supplication  for  his  continued  guid- 
ance and  care.  No  attitude  could  be  more  suitable. 
None  more  truly  dignified.  Where  is  the  commu- 
nity on  which  the  sun  looks  down,  equally  pressed 
with  the  delightful  debt  of  gratitude,  as  ours  ? 
Where  is  the  community  distinguished  by  the  Al- 
mighty Governor  of  the  world,  with  such  an  im- 
mense aggregate  of  privileges  ? — privileges  to  be 
continued  and  extended  by  his  favor,  or  blighted 
and  lost  by  his  frown. 


Does  the  question  arise ;  How  may  the  first  of 
these  issues  be  secured,  and  the  other  averted  ? 
This  question  has  already  received  its  response 
from  the  HEAVENLY  ORACLE.  The  passage  which 
has  been  recited,  points,  indeed,  directly  at  the  spir- 
itual and  immortal  salvation  of  man ;  and  this,  as 
effected  by  the  religion  of  Christ.  Still,  as  this 
religion,  the  only  hope  of  man  for  eternity,  looks 
with  the  kindest  aspect  on  his  present  state  of  be- 
ing ;  since  it  sheds  an  influence  not  less  benign  on 
his  social  and  political,  than  his  individual  condition, 
I  shall  be  permitted,  on  the  present  occasion,  to 
consider  the  subject  principally  in  this  view. 

I  invite,  then,  the  attention  of  my  respected  au- 
dience, tO  RELIGION,  as  THE  SUPREME  BLESSING 

OF  COMMUNITIES;  as  the  most  powerful  of  all 
agents  in  effecting  their  best  prosperity,  and  in 
eradicating  or  controlling  the  evils  to  which  they 
are  liable.  The  discussion,  though  somewhat  gen- 
eral in  its  aspect,  will  keep  in  particular  view  our 
own  Commonwealth  and  Country. 

In  contemplating  the  elements  of  national  pros- 
perity, we  pay  a  first  and  marked  attention  to  liberty; 
a  theme  ever  grateful  to  the  sons  of  the  pilgrims  ; 
and  never  uninteresting  to  the  members  of  the  only 
genuine  republic  on  earth.  Whether  civil  and  po- 
litical liberty  is  a  blessing  attainable  by  man,  or 


only  one  of  those  splendid  illusions  destined  to 
mock  his  hopes  with  disappointment,  is  considered 
by  many  as  a  problem  yet  unsolved.  By  many,  the 
experiment  which  our  own  country  has  been  mak- 
ing, for  somewhat  more  than  half  a  century,  is  con- 
sidered as  promising  the  long  desired  solution. 
One  thing  is  certain.  That  liberty  which  frequent- 
ly bears  the  name,  is  a  thing  neither  practicable  nor 
desirable.  I  mean  a  liberty  consisting  in  the  ab- 
sence of  all  restraint,  and  the  contempt  of  all  con- 
trol. No  such  curse  as  this  has  all-bounteous 
Heaven  ever  designed  to  inflict  on  the  human  fam- 
ily. No  evil  more  unmitigated,  and  more  intense, 
could  be  emitted  to  our  earth  from  the  very  regions 
of  despair.  Man  was  not  born  to  be  independent, 
either  of  his  Maker,  or  his  fellow  beings.  Nations 
were  not  created  to  be  independent,  either  of  the 
Sovereign  of  the  world,  or  of  one  another.  The 
genuine  happiness,  and  the  genuine  liberty  of  all 
finite  beings  depends  on  a  portion  of  restraint. 
Who  that  has  entered  a  family,  governed  with  a 
due  mixture  of  kindness  and  energy,  has  failed  to 
perceive  the  fact,  in  the  calm  and  happy  counte- 
nances of  its  members  ?  Who  that  has  entered  a 
school,  misgoverned  and  insubordinate,  has  not 
found  its  pupils  as  far  from  enjoyment,  as  from 
peace  and  decorum  ? 


X 

8 

We  believe  there  is  a  liberty  in  communities  and 
states,  which  is  rational,  chastened,  guarded,  salu- 
tary and  practicable ;  a  liberty  the  nurse  of  genius ; 
the  parent  of  great  designs,  and  noble  enterprises  ; 
the  friend  of  order,  of  justice  and  humanity.  We 
trust  in  God,  that  a  liberty  of  this  exalted  character 
is  yet  to  diffuse  its  nameless  and  exuberant  bless- 
ings throughout  the  globe.  And  where  is  the  pa- 
triot bosom  which  does  not  beat  with  intense  desire 
that,  on  this  subject,  America  may  become  the  in- 
structress of  the  world  ;  that  her  original  and  suc- 
cessful experiment  may  every  where  send  terror  to 
the  hearts  of  tyrants,  and  hope  and  joy  to  subjuga- 
ted and  despairing  nations  ? 

Yes ;  we  will  cherish  this  inspiring  hope.  But 
for  its  accomplishment,  we  look,  as  we  frankly  con- 
fess, not  to  the  boasted  perfectibility  of  man ;  not 
to  the  dreams  of  philosophers,  nor  to  the  sanguine 
and  plausible  calculations  of  politicians.  We  do  not 
look  to  the  great  modern  discovery  of  the  doctrine 
of  checks  and  balances;  a  discovery  of  which,  with  all 
its  pretensions,  and  all  its  real  merits,  it  may  be  too 
truly  said,  that,  like  many  other  discoveries,  it  has 
performed  materially  less  than  it  promised.  Nor  do 
we  look,  for  the  consummation  in  view,  to  the  supe- 
rior general  illumination  of  the  present  age,  or  of 
ages  to  come.  All  observation,  all  experience,  all 


9 

history  prove  to  demonstration,  how  feeble  is  the 
resistance  made  by  mere  knowledge,  to  the  progress 
of  moral  corruption;  that  corruption  which  is  death, 
inevitable  death,  to  the  liberties  of  any  people.  If 
any  of  the  nations  of  the  ancient  world  may  be 
pronounced  free,  they  were  the  republics  of  Greece 
and  Rome.  And  when  did  these  boasted  republics 
lose  their  liberties  ?  At  the  very  period  when 
their  improvements  in  art,  in  science,  in  eloquence, 
in  the  splendors  and  luxuries  of  living,  rendered 
them  the  gaze  and  admiration  of  the  world. 

If,  in  New  England,  and  in  these  United  States, 
the  experiment  of  liberty  has  been  hitherto  more 
successful,  we  know  the  cause.  The  settlement 
of  New  England  was  a  religious  settlement.  The 
United  States  are  a  Christian  nation.  Through  the 
length  and  breadth  of  our  country,  are  enjoyed,  in 
a  greater  or  less  degree,  the  instructions  and  ordi- 
nances of  that  gospel  which  teaches  man  to  govern 
himself,  and  thus  renders  him  fit  to  be  trusted  with 
a  generous  portion  of  civil  and  political  liberty. 
Christianity  is  the  only  religion  which  the  world 
has  yet  seen,  which  renders  it  at  once  practicable 
and  safe  for  a  people  to  be  free.  Laying  all  men 
prostrate  on  one  common  level,  as  sinners  ;  prof- 
fering to  them  all  a  part  in  one  common  and  great 
salvation,  and  summoning  them  all  to  one  common 


10 

bar  of  impartial  judgment,  and  eternal  retribution, 
it  inculcates  a  species  of  universal  equality.  It 
teaches,  at  least,  that  all  secular  and  civil  distinc- 
tions are  mere  trifles,  compared  with  the  relation  in 
which  every  member  of  the  community  stands  to 
God,  and  to  eternity.  Thus  it  prepares  the  way 
for  as  equal  a  participation  of  rights  and  privileges, 
as  reason  demands,  or  the  case  admits.  In  the 
mean  time,  it  eminently  favors  the  preservation  of 
liberty.  It  reminds  every  member  of  the  communi- 
ty that  his  civil  privileges  are  a  sacred  trust,  invol- 
ving a  high  responsibility,  and  succeeded  by  a  sol- 
emn account.  It  presents  him,  hi  every  step  of  his 
path,  with  a  holy  and  all-surrounding  Deity.  It  oc- 
cupies the  mind  with  great  and  ennobling  thoughts 
It  fills  the  heart  with  pure  and  purifying  sentiments. 
It  inspires  universal  conscientiousness  of  conduct. 
It  connects  time  with  eternity,  and  earth  with  hea- 
ven. These  are  some  of  the  methods  in  which 
Christianity  tends  to  restrain  the  excesses  of  lib- 
erty, and  prevent  its  degenerating  to  absolute  licen- 
tiousness. 

But  Christianity,  while  it  promotes  and  restrains 
and  perpetuates  the  liberties  of  a  people,  is  not  less 
decisively  favorable  to  the  energy  of  government.  It 
reminds  the  citizens  that  civil  rulers,  duly  elected 
or  appointed,  are  ordained  by  God  ;  and  that  to 


11 

resist  them  in  the  proper  exercise  of  their  author- 
ity, is  to  resist  the  ordinance  of  God.  This,  surely, 
does  not  invest  rulers  with  omniscience,  or  infalli- 
bility. Still  less  does  it  justify  or  palliate  any  mis- 
use of  their  powers.  The  sacredness  of  their  office 
renders  its  prostitution  but  the  more  criminal. 
And  it  would  be  at  once  absurd  and  impious  to 
suppose  that  the  God  of  heaven  will  sanction  their 
acts,  when  they  contravene  his  own  authority. 
Still,  the  fact,  that  in  the  regular  and  right  exer- 
cise of  their  high  functions,  they  act  in  the  name, 
and  by  the  authority  of  God,  is  a  fact  of  great 
significance.  Conscientious  and  reflecting  men  will 
beware  how  they  oppose  such  an  one  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  ;  how  they  vilify  his  character, 
or  sport  with  his  sensibilities,  or  mar  his  just  influ- 
ence. And  while  they  exercise  an  independent 
judgment,  and  a  just  discrimination,  concerning  ru- 
lers, they  will  beware  of  inflicting  on  their  reputa- 
tions or  feelings  a  wanton  injury.  The  reckless 
and  inhuman  severity  with  which  public  men  are 
sometimes  treated,  is  in  every  view  unjustifiable. 
As  it  regards  those  who  are  honestly  devoting 
themselves  to  the  good  of  the  community,  it  is  un- 
grateful and  cruel.  And  the  injury  done  to  the 
public  may  be  greater  still.  The  direct  effect  of 
such  severity  is  to  drive  from  office  the  best  men, 


12 

and  fill  the  places  of  trust  and  honor  with  men  of 
callous  and  vulgar  feelings.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  just  honor  and  gratitude  which  is  paid  to  the 
upright  and  meritorious  ruler,  recoils,  with  a  medi- 
cinal effect,  on  the  community.  While  it  soothes 
the  cares  of  office,  and  rewards  virtuous  exertion, 
it  gives  a  healthful  tone  to  the  public  morals,  and 
secures  to  the  government  the  affections  of  the 
people. 

There  is  another  method  in  which  religion  con- 
tributes its  influence  to  the  energy  of  government. 
It  forms  rulers  to  the  very  character  which  is  cal- 
culated to  command  the  confidence  and  veneration 
of  the  community.  It  is  true,  there  are  other  paths 
to  public  honor,  than  those  of  virtue  and  merit. 
"In  the  corrupted  currents  of  this  world,"  ambi- 
tion, selfishness,  artifice,  may  find  their  way  to  the 
very  highest  places  of  the  state.  Still,  the  world  is 
not  yet  so  bad,  but  that  there  is  one  meed  which 
virtue  alone  can  purchase ;  I  mean,  the  honest 
esteem  and  love  of  the  community.  And  how 
truly  venerable  the  ruler  whose  character  is  formed 
on  the  model  supplied  by  the  Sacred  Volume. 
Entering  on  office  with  diffidence,  perhaps  with 
reluctance,  he  still  makes  a  cheerful  consecration 
of  his  faculties,  his  affections  and  solicitudes  to  the 
public  good.  Acting  as  under  the  eye  of  God, 


13 

and  leaning  on  his  arm ;  imploring  his  aid,  and 
anxious  only  for  his  approbation,  he  calmly  pursues 
a  plain  and  straight-forward  path.  Not  the  dic- 
tates of  ambition,  or  of  interest ;  of  party  feeling, 
or  state  chicanery ;  not  the  ever  changing  opinion 
of  the  multitude ;  but  his  Maker's  law;  the  eternal, 
unchanging  principles  of  truth  and  rectitude ;  these, 
these  are  evermore  the  guides  and  measures  of  his 
conduct. 

Who  does  not  see  that  rulers  of  this  description 
are  the  strength,  the  riches,  the  glory  of  the  state  ? 
Their  characters  command  universal  respect ;  their 
measures,  universal  confidence.  They  are  enthron- 
ed in  the  hearts  of  the  virtuous  portion  of  the  com- 
munity. The  influence  which  they  send  abroad 
through  society  is  most  precious  and  salutary.  It 
strengthens  and  unites  the  good.  It  appals  licen- 
tiousness and  vice.  It  paralyzes  faction.  It  re- 
fines the  public  sentiment.  It  elevates  the  tone 
of  public  morals.  It  dries  up  a  thousand  sources 
of  evil,  and  purifies  society  to  its  very  fountain. 
Thus  firmness,  consistency  and  energy  are  secured 
to  the  government,  and  real  happiness  to  the  peo- 
ple. 

It  were  easy  to  prove  that  Christianity  is  friendly 
to  the  best  and  wisest  legislation,  and  to  the  purest 
administration  of  justice.  We  contend  not  that  it 
2  ' 


14 

prescribes  to  mankind  any  particular  forms  of  gov- 
ernment, or  any  codes  of  civil  or  criminal  law,  or 
any  rules  of  judicial  proceedings.     The  Sacred  Vol- 
ume was  given  to  us   for   far   different   purposes. 
Finding  the  human  family  in  a  state  of  revolt  from 
the  Father  and  Sovereign  of  the  world,  it  discloses 
a  method  of  return  and  reconciliation.     In  this  dis- 
closure, it  brings  to  view  the  great  principles  of 
the  divine  administration  as  they  regard  our  world; 
and  thus  communicates  instruction  important  to  the 
best  temporal  interests  of  man.     Admit  the  simple 
and  undeniable  truth,  that  the  government  of  God 
is  perfect,  and  it  follows  with  the  certainty  of  de- 
monstration, that  that  human  government  is  best, 
which  in  its  principles  and  spirit,  makes  the  nearest 
approach  to  the  divine.     Here,  then,  is  a  pattern, 
a  guide,  a  test,  for  earthly  legislation.     Can  it  be 
doubted,  a  moment,  that  the  legislator  who,  in  sim- 
plicity, brings  his  mind  and  heart  to  the  Sacred 
Volume  ;    who  makes  it  his  daily  study,  and  his 
nightly  meditation,  will  find,  in  this  process,  the 
happiest  preparation  for  his  arduous  and  responsi- 
ble work  ?     In  this  Volume  are  embodied  the  pro- 
foundest  principles  of  truth,  the  most  exalted  max- 
ims of  justice,  the  most  delicate  shades  of  morality, 
the  most  accurate  distinctions  between  right  and 
wrong ;  and  all  presented  with  an  inimitable  sim- 


15 

plicity,  all  rendered  comprehensible  to  every  intel- 
lect, and  all  commending  themselves  to  every  con- 
science. Let  these  characteristics  be  transfused 
into  the  laws  of  a  community  ;  let  these  lovely  fea- 
tures be  instamped  on  its  statute  book  ;  and  will  it 
not  be  a  highly  favored,  will  it  not  be  an  excellent- 
ly governed  community  ?  Will  not  every  individ- 
ual composing  it,  be  led  to  feel  that  his  submission 
is  required,  not  so  much  to  the  wisdom  and  author- 
ity of  earth,  as  of  Heaven  ?  And  will  not  every 
requisition  of  the  law  find  a  response  of  approbation 
in  his  own  bosom  ? 

It  is  confessed  that  human  legislation  is,  from  the 
very  nature  of  the  case,  imperfect.  Often  it  can 
take  but  a  very  partial  cognizance  of  the  inten- 
tions and  motives  of  men.  Yet  should  it  not  at 
least  attempt  an  approximation  to  this  point  ?  And 
will  not  its  excellence  and  utility  be  generally  pro- 
portioned to  this  approximation  ?  If,  in  many  ca- 
ses, its  animadversion  on  crimes  be  predicated  less 
on  their  moral  turpitude,  than  their  tendency  to  the 
public  injury,  should  it  not  beware  lest  a  distinction 
and  a  contrast  of  this  kind  be  sometimes  found  fac- 
titious and  false  ?  And  if  its  principal  object  be 
to  form  citizens,  rather  of  an  earthly,  than  a  hea- 
venly community,  should  it  not  remember,  how 


16 

often  there  will  be  found,  in  the  two  cases,  a  strong- 
analogy,  if  not  an  entire  coincidence  ? 

We  wish  for  no  state  religion  ;  no  legal  prescrip- 
tion of  articles  of  faith,  or  liturgies  ;  no  governmen- 
tal preference  of  particular  sects  or  denominations. 
We  shrink  from  every  approach  to  such  abuses. 
Our  puritan  fathers,  with  the  best  and  holiest  of 
motives,  instituted  a  connexion  somewhat  too  inti- 
mate, between  church  and  state.  We  have  seen 
their  error,  and  have  discarded  it.  Yet  is  there 
not  an  opposite  extreme  ?  And  is  there  no  possi- 
bility, no  danger,  of  plunging  into  it  ?  Grant  that 
religion  can  subsist  without  the  state  ;  does  not  the 
question  still  remain  ;  Can  the  state  subsist  without 
religion  ?  If  the  state  has  little  to  give  to  religion, 
still  may  it  not  receive  from  it  the  most  substantial 
benefits  ?  If  Christianity  embraces  institutions  and 
usages  which  constitute  the  surest  basis,  and  the 
best  cement  of  human  society ;  shall  the  fact,  that 
these  institutions  and  usages  came  from  heaven,  de- 
prive them  of  the  countenance  of  government,  and 
exclude  them  from  the  pale  of  its  protection  ? 

"  The  sabbath  was  made  for  man."  And  scarce- 
ly has  the  munificence  of  Heaven  itself  bestowed  on 
man,  or  on  society,  a  kinder,  richer  gift.  Well 
may  New  England  glory  in  the  sabbath  •  for  it  has 
made  New  England  what  it  is  ;  the  fairest  spot  on 


17 

earth.  Well  may  our  country  glory  in  the  sab- 
bath ;  for  with  the  sabbath,  its  most  valued  distinc- 
tions, its  most  ennobling  characteristics,  have  arisen 
and  continued;  and  with  it,  they  will  expire.  It 
is  appalling  to  think  how  surely  and  how  rapidly  a 
community,  long  blest  with  the  light  of  revelation, 
may,  in  the  absence  of  the  sabbath,  sink  into  a  spe- 
cies of  heathenism ;  sink,  indeed,  into  a  depth  of 
depravity  and  licentiousness  at  which  ordinary  hea- 
thens and  savages  would  blush.  That  the  sabbath 
has  still  a  name  and  a  place  in  the  statute  book  of 
our  Commonwealth,  is  consoling  to  the  •  patriot 
heart.  And  every  patriot  heart  wishes,  in  its  be- 
half, that  substantial  and  efficient  protection,  and 
that  only,  which  its  own  importance  claims,  and 
which  is  demanded  by  the  best  interests  of  social 
order,  of  public  virtue,  of  the  rising  youth,  and  the 
whole  community. 

The  churches  of  Christ  are  likewise  recognised 
by  our  laws,  as  real  entities;  as  possessing  a  distinct 
existence,  and  important,  inalienable  rights.  We 
trust  that  they  will  rise  from  their  present  depres- 
sions. We  will  not  resign  the  hope,  that  these 
powerless,  harmless  societies  will  yet,  under  the 
auspices  of  Christian  legislators,  and  under  the  pro- 
tecting segis  of  impartial  law,  enjoy  and  exercise 

their  sacred  rights,  and  just  privileges. 

2* 


18 

It  is  a  subject  of  satisfaction  that  our  civil  and 
criminal  code  contains  so  much  that  is  excellent, 
and  so  little  that  is  exceptionable  ;  that  it  furnishes 
to  the  citizens  such  effectual  security  for  their 
rights,  and  such  ample  redress  for  their  wrongs  ; 
and  that  in  the  punishment  of  crimes,  it  so  general- 
ly unites  mercy  with  justice,  mildness  with  vigor 
and  effect.  I  will  not,  for  a  moment,  compare  it 
with  the  codes  of  nations  the  most  imformed,  in 
ancient  times  or  modern,  on  which  the  sun  of  Chris- 
tianity has  never  shone.  The  difference  is  immense 
and  indescribable.  And  when  this  religion  shall 
have  breathed  into  our  laws  a  still  greater  portion 
of  its  own  pure,  benevolent,  exalted  spirit,  there 
will  be  little  left  for  patriotism  or  philanthropy  to 
desire.  We  shall  be,  in  this  regard,  the  most  fa- 
vored community  on  earth. 

Nor  may  we  omit  the  tribute  of  gratitude  due  t  o 
the  Legislature,  for  its  provident  care  in  furnishing 
to  the  citizens  of  the  Commonwealth,  a  revised 
edition  of  its  statutes,  condensed  into  a  single  vol- 
ume. It  was  just  what  the  public  exigencies  re- 
quired. Next  in  importance  to  the  justice  of  the 
laws,  in  a  community,  is  the  extent  of  their  diffu- 
sion, and  the  facility  of  their  comprehension.  By 
the  recent  measure,  both  these  objects  will  be  great- 
ly subserved.  And  may  it  not  be  confidently  pre- 


19 

sumed  that  good  laws,  the  more  they  are  known, 
will  be  the  more  commended  to  the  consciences 
and  hearts  of  the  citizens  ;  and  that  their  violation 
will  be  proportionably  disreputable  and  infrequent. 

But  the  best  and  wisest  laws  must  be  compara- 
tively valueless,  unless  soundly  interpreted,  impartially 
applied,  and  faithfully  executed.  Immensely  impor- 
tant, then,  to  a  state,  is  the  character  of  its  courts 
of  judicature.  They  constitute  the  medium  through 
which  justice  or  injustice  finds  its  way  to  the  bo- 
soms and  fire-sides  of  the  people.  They  are  sig- 
nally the  blessing  or  the  curse  of  the  community. 
No  words  can  describe  the  withering,  blighting  in- 
fluence on  the  public  morals,  order  and  happiness, 
exercised  by  a  single  judge  who  fears  not  God  , 
who  prostitutes,  perhaps,  talents  and  learning,  to 
confound  the  immutable  distinctions  of  right  and 
wrong ;  whose  decisions  are  the  dictates,  not  of 
truth,  justice  and  law,  but  of  caprice,  prejudice,  or 
even  gross  corruption.  His  guilty  life  may  be 
short ;  but  he  may  poison  the  fountain  of  justice  for 
future  ages.  Behold  now  the  contrast.  Mark  the 
upright,  the  incorruptible  judge.  Hear  him  say,  in 
the  consciousness  of  integrity,  and  in  the  beautiful 
language  of  Job ;  "I  put  on  righteousness,  and  it 
clothed  me  ;  my  judgment  was  as  a  robe  and  a  dia- 
dem. I  was  eyes  to  the  blind,  and  feet  was  I  to 


20 

the  lame.  I  was  a  father  to  the  poor  ;  and  the 
cause  which  I  knew  not,  I  searched  out."  Well 
may  he  add,  in  the  words  of  the  same  distinguished 
man  ;  "  When  the  ear  heard  me,  then  it  blessed 
me  ;  and  when  the  eye  saw  me,  it  gave  witness  to 
me ;  because  I  delivered  the  poor  that  cried,  and 
the  fatherless,  and  him  that  had  none  to  help  him. 
The  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to  perish  came 
upon  me,  and  I  caused  the  widow's  heart  to  sing 
for  joy." 

Such  judges,  blessed  be  God!  have  been  found,  in 
former,  and  in  recent  time.  Illustrious  men !  Wor- 
thy to  be  had  in  everlasting  remembrance.  Judges, 
the  terror  of  the  wicked  ;  the  hope  and  consolation 
of  the  oppressed  ;  the  light  and  ornament  of  their 
country,  and  their  species ;  humble  representatives, 
on  earth,  of  the  righteous  Judge  of  earth  and  hea- 
ven ;  and  honored  instruments  of  diffusing  his  jus- 
tice and  his  beneficence  among  their  fellow-men. 
Yes  ;  such  blessings  have  been  found  ;  yet  rarely, 
except  in  a  Christian  community. 

We  have  seen  the  auspicious  influence  of  Chris- 
tianity on  liberty,  on  government,  on  the  laws,  on 
the  administration  of  justice.  But  the  principal 
mode  in  which  it  blesses  a  community  is  yet  un- 
mentioned.  I  refer  to  its  influence  in  forming  the 
character  of  its  citizens. 


21 

Here  I  might  speak  of  its  intellectual  aspects. 
Nor  would  it  be  easy  to  do  full  justice,  even  to  this 
part  of  the  subject.  Rarely  have  the  capacities  of 
the  human  mind  received  their  full  expansion,  or  its 
sublime  faculties  their  entire  development,  in  re- 
gions unvisited  by  Revelation.  In  the  absence  of 
this  heavenly  light,  the  intellectual  powers  lan- 
guish ;  the  mental  faculties  become  torpid  and  inac- 
tive. Man  vegetates,  and  breathes,  and  supplies 
the  wants  of  a  mere  animal  existence,  and  grati- 
fies his  sensual  appetites ;  and  this  is  nearly  all. 
Turning  from  this  humiliating  spectacle,  let  us  mark 
the  wonders  achieved  by  the  gospel  of  Christ. 
This  divine  visitant  speaks  to  man  of  the  Being  who 
made  him ;  of  his  works,  and  his  laws  ;  of  his 
boundless  power,  his  exuberant  goodness,  his  for- 
giving love,  his  universal  presence.  It  speaks  to 
him  of  his  own  immortal  destiny  ;  of  his  moral  ruin, 
and  his  recovery ;  of  the  present  moment  of  life,  as 
stamping  his  whole  eternity  ;  of  worlds  beyond  the 
grave,  inconceivable  in  their  joys,  and  in  their 
woes.  These  are  the  objects,  these  the  disclo- 
sures, which  break  the  slumbers  of  the  intellect, 
and  rouse  the  torpid  faculties  to  exertion.  Con- 
scious of  their  influence,  the  mind  walks  abroad  in 
its  energy,  and  seizes  with  a  firmer  grasp  on  the 
variety  of  objects  which  surround  it.  Creation  it- 


22 

self,  viewed  as  the  workmanship  of  God,  is  invested 
with  new  attractions.  Earth,  air  and  sea,  thus 
contemplated,  disclose  new  beauties,  and  new  won- 
ders. While  the  secrets  of  the  animal  and  vege- 
table and  mineral  kingdoms  are  explored  with  new 
ardor,  and  almost  with  new  sagacity.  By  the  same 
general  impulse,  even  the  inventions  of  art  are 
quickened  ;  and  every  improvement  connected  with 
the  comfort,  or  the  ornament  of  human  life,  advanced. 

If,  with  a  map  of  the  world  before  us,  we  survey 
the  existing  condition  of  different  nations,  we  shall 
find,  that  with  the  progress  of  Christianity,  the 
progress  of  every  species  of  human  knowledge,  use- 
ful and  ornamental,  has  held  an  accurate  corres- 
pondence. Where  this  heavenly  light  has  shone, 
there  science,  art  and  literature  have  diffused  their 
rich  and  varied  blessings.  Where  its  rays  have 
never  penetrated,  there  ignorance,  gross  ignorance, 
has  generally  held  an  undisturbed  and  iron  empire. 

But  the  moral  influence  of  Christianity  is  still 
more  powerful,  and  more  invaluable.  It  enjoins, 
and  it  inspires  those  virtues  which,  while  they  form 
the  good  man,  form,  too,  the  good  citizen,  and  se- 
cure the  peace,  the  order,  and  the  happiness  of  the 
community.  Scarcely  any  other  system  of  morals 
or  religion  has  even  correctly  told  us  what  virtue  is. 
The  ancient  Greeks  and  Romans  had  no  other  term, 


23 

in  their  respective  languages,  by  which  to  express 
it,  than  a  word  which  signifies  courage.  The  fact 
very  significantly  informs  us  that  they  considered 
courage  as  constituting  the  essence  of  virtue.  What 
was  that  patriotism,  so  extolled  and  adored  among 
the  Romans,  but  a  blind  and  bigoted  attachment  to 
their  own  country,  which  prompted  them  to  tram- 
ple on  the  rights,  and  waste  the  happiness  of  all 
others  ?  It  would  be  difficult  to  find  any  system  of 
ethics,  ancient  or  modern,  not  based  on  Christiani- 
ty, or  borrowed  from  it,  which  does  not  laud,  or  at 
least  tolerate,  a  variety  of  spurious  and  false  virtues. 
I  might  instance  in  pride,  ambition,  military  glory,  lit- 
erary vanity,  admiration  of  wealth,  contempt  of  the  de- 
pressed and  suffering,  jealousy  of  personal  honor,  re- 
venge. But  Christianity  impartially  frowns  on  all 
these  aberrations.  Nor  does  it  admit  to  its  cata- 
logue of  virtues,  a  single  mental  quality  or  disposi- 
tion which  is  so  much  as  doubtful.  All  its  distin- 
guishing tempers  and  affections  go  to  constitute  a 
character  the  most  pure,  lovely,  venerable  and 
sublime,  the  most  benevolent  and  useful,  that  can 
be  conceived.  What  a  paragon  of  all  moral  excel- 
lence, of  all  personal,  social  and  divine  virtue,  was 
the  great  Author  and  Exemplar  of  this  religion. 
And  who  does  not  see  that  it  needs  nothing  but  the 
universal  diffusion  of  his  spirit,  to  render  individuals 


24 

amiable,  families  harmonious,  communities  tranquil 
and  happy,  and  the  whole  world  an  abode  of  pure 
and  sublime  enjoyment.  ;!;: 

All  the  truths,  the  precepts  and  prohibitions  of 
Christianity  shed  the  kindest  influence  on  the  best 
interests  of  human  society.  As  far  as  they  prevail, 
the  tone  of  sentiment,  and  the  standard  of  morals 
are  elevated.  The  public  taste  is  refined,  and  the 
public  manners  are  purified  and  softened.  Imagine 
to  yourselves,  my  hearers,  for  a  moment,  a  commu- 
nity in  which  the  sublime  and  lovely  virtues  of 
Christianity  should  be  generally  practised,  and  its 
meek,  benevolent,  forgiving,  self-sacrificing  spirit 
generally  diffused.  Is  not  the  spectacle  most  de- 
lightful ?  Do  you  not  see  all  those  discordant  ele- 
ments which  ordinarily  agitate  society,  hushed  into 
peace"?  Do  you  not  see  all  those  passions  ban- 
ished, which  have  so  often  wasted  the  comforts,  and 
embittered  the  calamities  of  life,  and  poisoned  the 
fountains  of  social  enjoyment  ? 

Do  you  not  see  Paradise  regained  ?  Do  you  not 
perceive  an  air  of  heaven  breathing  on  such  a  favor- 
ed region,  and  ready  to  waft  its  inhabitants  to  a 
better  world  ? 

All  the  institutions  of  Christianity,  stamped  as 
they  are  with  profound  wisdom,  indicate,  in  the 
Deity,  a  most  merciful  regard  to  the  social,  as  well 


25 

as  individual  exigencies  of  his  human  family.  Of 
the  truth  of  this  remark,  the  sacredness  attached  by 
the  gospel,  to  the  marriage  bond,  is  a  striking  in- 
stance. On  this  simple  arrangement,  depends  no 
small  portion  of  the  order,  the  peace,  the  comfort 
and  the  virtue  of  human  society.  Let  it  be  dis- 
carded, or  materially  modified,  and  an  army  of  evils 
is  let  loose  upon  the  community,  to  deform  its  beau- 
ty, to  corrupt  its  purity,  to  waste  its  enjoyments,  and 
undermine  its  very  existence.  Human  legislators 
have  sometimes  opposed  their  enactments  to  this 
divine  institution.  But  in  doing  this,  they  have 
trifled  not  more  with  the  authority  of  God,  than 
with  the  dearest  interests  of  human  society. 

The  weekly  assemblages  required  by  Christiani- 
ty, for  the  purpose  of  divine  worship,  and  of  reli- 
gious and  moral  instruction,  constitute  one  of  the 
most  prominent  and  delightful  characteristics  of 
this  religion.  The  enlightening,  purifying,  peace- 
breathing  influence  of  the  practice  is  generally  ac- 
knowledged. Nor  ought  it  to  be  forgotten,  that  to 
a  considerable  portion  of  the  community,  these  sea- 
sons afford  the  only  refuge  from  care  ;  the  only 
solace  for  the  calamities  and  miseries  of  life. 
Surely  that  man  must  be  a  monster  of  cruelty,  as 
well  as  impiety,  who,  by  blotting  out  the  idea  of  a 

God,  and  his  worship,  would  deprive  the  poor  and 
3 


26 

the  suffering  of  this  precious  relief.  "  We  could 
not,''  says  one,  "  avoid  feeling  a  compassion  as 
painful,  as  well  founded,  if,  in  considering  the  fate 
of  the  greater  number  of  men,  we  supposed  them 
all  at  once  deprived  of  the  only  thought  which  sup- 
ported their  courage.  They  would  no  more  have  a 
GOD  to  confide  their  sorrows  with.  They  would 
no  more  attend  his  ordinances  to  search  for  the 
sentiments  of  resignation  and  tranquillity.  They 
would  have  no  motive  for  raising  their  looks  to 
heaven.  Their  eyes  would  be  cast  down ;  fixed 
for  ever  on  this  abode  of  grief,  of  death,  and  eternal 
silence.  Then  despair  would  even  stifle  their  groans; 
and  all  their  reflections  preying  on  themselves, 
would  only  serve  to  corrode  their  hearts."  Such 
are  the  sentiments  which  were  uttered  by  a  French 
writer,*  about  half  a  century  since.  And  have 
they  not  received  a  most  affecting  comment  in  the 
unparallelled  prevalence  among  that  nation,  of  the 
crime  of  suicide;  contemporary,  as  it  has  been,  with 
a  correspondent  prevalence  of  infidelity  and  athe- 
ism ?  f 

*  M.  NECKER.     See  his  volume  on  the  Importance  of  Religious  Opinions. 

t  Of  the  value  and  importance  of  the  sabbath  to  public  men,  we  have  an  emphat- 
ic testimony  from  a  British  Statesman,  who  was  an  ornament  to  his  country  and  his 
species — MR.  WILBERFORCE.  A  respectable  clergj'man,  who  was  honored  with 
his  intimate  acquaintance,  declares  :  "  I  have  often  heard  him  assert  that  he  never 
could  have  sustained  the  labor  and  the  stretch  of  mind  required  in  his  early  political 
Hfe,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  rest  of  his  sabbath  ;  and  that  he  could  name  several  of 
his  contemporaries  in  the  vortex  of  political  cares,  whose  minds  had  actually  givcu 


if 
27 

It  may  be  inquired,  perhaps,  what  is  the  proper 
influence  of  religion  on  a  people,  in  regard  to  its 
foreign  relations?  What  dispositions  does  it  in- 
spire ?  To  what  course  of  conduct  does  it  prompt  ? 
What  attitude  will  a  nation  truly  and  consistently 
Christian,  maintain  with  regard  to  foreign  powers  ; 
and  what  treatment  may  it  expect  from  them? — 
The  answer  to  these  questions  is  at  hand.  Such  a 
nation,  in  its  intercourse  with  every  other  nation, 
will  be  simple,  sincere,  dignified,  magnanimous. 
It  will  neither  basely  cower  to  the  most  powerful  of 
foreign  states,  nor  wrong  the  feeblest.  Aloof  from 
the  dark  designs  of  ordinary  cabinets,  and  spurning 
the  chicanery  of  vulgar  diplomacy,  it  will  speak  as 
it  thinks  and  feels  ;  and  will  act  as  it  speaks.  All 
its  engagements  will  be  literally  fulfilled ,  and 
while  it  firmly  vindicates  its  own  rights,  it  will  as 
scrupulously  regard  the  rights  of  others.  War  it 
will  consider  as  the  last  dire  resort ;  to  be  avoided 
by  many  a  sacrifice ;  to  be  met  only  in  self  defence, 
and  in  defence  of  essential  rights.  It  may  be 
thought  that  such  a  pacific  disposition  and  policy 
will  but  invite  insult  and  injury  ;  perhaps,  even 
hostile  aggression.  But  no.  The  nation  whose 

way  under  the  stress  of  intellectual  labor,  so  as  to  bring  on  a  premature  death,  or 
the  stil!  more  dreadful  catastrophe  of  insanity  and  suicide,  who,  humanly  speaking, 
might  have  been  preserved  in  health,  if  they  would  have  conscientiously  observed 
the  sabbath." 


28 

abhorrence  of  blood  proceeds,  not  from  lameness 
and  pusillanimity,  but  from  regard  to  the  laws  of 
God  (and  surely  nations  are  not  above  the  laws  of 
God,)  will  make  itself  respected,  and  will  make 
itself  feared.  "  When  a  man's  ways  please  the 
Lord,  He  makes  even  his  enemies  to  be  at  peace 
with  him.0  So  says  the  wisdom  of  Heaven ;  and 
we  bow  to  the  wisdom  of  Heaven.  And  we  believe 
that  this  inspired  declaration  is  just  as  true  of  na- 
tions, as  of  individuals.  While  there  is  a  God  in 
heaven,  and  a  conscience  in  the  human  breast,  it 
will  be  found  that  the  nation  which  courageously 
and  uniformly  acts  the  part  of  virtue  and  integrity, 
acts  the  part  of  wisdom  and  sound  policy.  In  this 
age  of  experiments,  who  does  not  wish  that  Ameri- 
ca might  stand  forth  to  the  world,  and  declare  that 
her  allegiance  shall  be  paid  to  the  Sovereign  of  the 
universe  ;  that  spurning  the  wretched  policy  which 
has  hitherto  governed  earthly  states,  she  takes  the 
laws  of  Heaven  for  her  standard  and  her  guide  1 
The  experiment  would  at  least  attract  attention  ; 
for  it  would  be  as  original  as  great ;  and  as  great 
as  original.  Would  it  not  command  universal  re- 
spect and  awe  ?  Is  its  complete  and  ultimate  suc- 
cess at  all  doubtful  ? 

The  view  which  has  now  been  given,  of  the  influ- 
ence of  religion  on  the  welfare  of  a  state  ;  on  liber- 


29 

ty,  on  the  energy  of  government,  on  the  laws,  on 
the  distribution  of  justice,  on  the  intelligence,  the 
habits  and  manners  of  the  people,  and  on  the  char- 
acter of  the  nation  abroad — is,  I  am  sensible,  ex- 
tremely imperfect.  Still,  that  it  is  an  influence 
most  auspicious  and  powerful,  I  cannot  but  hope, 
has  been  made  too  evident  to  be  denied,  or  doubted. 
It  remains  that  we  notice,  more  distinctly,  the  ten- 
dency of  religion  to  remove  or  control  some  of  the 
principal  evils  to  which  communities  are  liable. 
This  will  be  attempted  with  great  brevity,  and  with 
particular  reference  to  the  state  and  aspects  of  our 
own  beloved  country. 

The  lust  of  wealth  is  one  of  the  most  powerful, 
and  most  degrading  propensities  of  the  human  mind. 
This  passion,  which  has  been  congenial  with  every 
age,  and  every  region  of  the  world,  finds  peculiar 
nutriment  in  our  own  land,  at  the  present  time 
The  vast  resources  of  our  country,  the  freedom  of 
our  government,  the  wonderful  improvements  of  the 
age,  with  a  variety  of  other  causes,  as  they  facilitate 
the  acquisition  of  wealth,  are  found  to  stimulate  its 
desire.     Speculation,  in  a  thousand  forms,  has  be- 
come the  very  mania  of  the  age.     Nor  do  any  ordi- 
nary acquisitions  suffice.     Men  must  become  rich 
on  a  new  and  extraordinary  scale.     But  in  all  this, 

there  is  danger  ;  danger  if  they  succeed,  and  dan- 
3* 


30 

ger  if  they  fail ;  danger  to  individuals,  and  danger 
to  the  community.  This  moment,  our  country  is 
deluged  with  crimes,  and  wounded  in  its  vital  inter- 
ests, and  convulsed  to  its  very  centre,  by  the  rage 
of  thousands  to  be  rich.  And  what  shall  arrest 
these  enormous  evils,  and  save  the  nation  from 
ruin  ?  Nothing  can  do  it  effectually,  but  the  coun- 
sels of  religion,  and  its  enlightening,  exalting,  puri- 
fying power.  It  is  an  irrevocable  law  of  the  human 
mind,  that  a  strong  passion,  once  possessing  it,  can 
be  expelled  only  by  a  stronger.  The  heart  of  man 
knows  but  one  principle  stronger  than  the  love  of 
wealth  ;  and  that  is,  the  love  of  God.  Who  does 
not  wish,  for  the  wretched  devotees  of  gain,  an  ex- 
change like  this  1  Who  does  not  wish  them  to  quit 
a  momentary  and  fancied  good,  for  a  happiness  real 
and  enduring  ;  a  happiness  large  as  their  desires, 
and  immortal  as  their  spirits'? 

Our  country  exhibits  a  spectacle  new  to  the 
world  ;  a  treasury  overflowing,  in  despite  of  every 
attempt  to  exhaust  it.  Its  greatest  and  most  op- 
pressive burden  is  its  wealth.  Might  not  benevo- 
lence, genuine,  Christian  benevolence,  devise  some 
effectual  methods  of  relief  ? — Thousands  of  individ- 
uals, too,  are  groaning  under  the  same  intolerable 
load.  They  have  brilliant  mansions,  splendid  equi- 
pages, luxurious  tables,  every  thing,  indeed,  that 


31 

heart  could  wish  —  except  happiness.  And  who 
does  not  wish  them,  instead  of  the  "gildings  of 
their  woe,"  the  solid,  real  enjoyment  of  becoming 
the  almoners  of  Heaven's  bounty,  in  succoring  the 
distressed,  in  sheltering  the  houseless,  or  in  circula- 
ting the  volume  of  life  through  a  dying  world. 
Indeed,  unless  such  a  system  of  depletion  be  set  on 
foot,  must  not  the  overgrown  wealth  of  thousands 
in  our  country  inflict  the  most  fatal  maladies  on 
themselves,  and  the  community  ? 

Ambition  is  another  malady  incident  to  communi- 
ties, and  especially  to  republics.  Here,  the  highest 
honors  and  offices  being  open  to  all,  there  is  no 
want  .of  aspirants  to  the  highest  honors  and  offices; 
As  most  men,  too,  are  not  uncandid  judges  of  their 
own  qualifications,  the  tone  of  solicitation  will  be 
proportionably  elevated.  The  object  being  so  dear, 
the  means  of  its  attainment  are  not  scrupulously 
selected.  Appeals  are  made  to  every  interest,  and 
to  every  passion  of  the  people  ;  to  their  love  of 
money,  to  their  love  of  change,  to  their  envy  of 
superior  excellence,  to  the  rancor  sometimes  felt  by 
the  poor  against  the  rich  Thus  men's  judgment  is 
blinded,  their  moral  sense  broken  down,  their  worst 
feelings  excited  to  action,  the  spirit  of  party  exas- 
perated, and  fatal  divisions  spread  through  the 
community.  Who  can  doubt  that  one  principal 


32 

cause  which  has  agitated  and  convulsed  our  country 
for  years,  is  ambition  ? — an  ambition  which,  as  our 
great  public  offices  have  something  to  bestow,  be- 
side care  and  labor,  is  stimulated  and  strengthened, 
not  unfreqently,  by  avarice.  And  where  shall  an 
evil  so  complicated,  and  so  fatal,  find  its  cure  ? 
The  reply  is  obvious.  Things  must  be  seen  in  the 
light  of  reason  and  eternal  truth.  Men  must  take 
counsel  of  common  sense  and  the  Bible,  and  not 
think  of  themselves  more  highly  than  they  ought  to  think, 
but  think  soberly ;  soberly  of  their  own  talents  and 
powers  ;  soberly  of  their  merits,  and  soberly  of 
their  claims  on  the  attention  and  confidence  of  their 
fellow  citizens.  Public  offices  must  be  viewed,  not 
as  mere  honorary  distinctions,  or  personal  benefits, 
but  as  sacred  trusts — places  of  care,  and  labor,  and 
responsibility.  Let  those  who  may  wish  for  office 
imitate  the  modesty  and  magnanimity  of  the  Spartan 
patriot,  who,  on  finding  himself  an  unsuccessful 
candidate  for  the  Council  of  three  hundred,  rejoiced 
"  that  Sparta  had  found  three  hundred  citizens  bet- 
ter than  himself."  Let  the  public,  too,  remember 
that  its  confidence  is  due,  not  so  much  to  those  who 
seek,  as  to  those  who  need  t&  be  sought ;  and  that 
important  places  will  be  best  filled  by  those  who 
are  least  anxious  to  occupy  them.  Let  them  re- 
member WASHINGTON;  the  man  who  never  sought 


33 

an  office  ;  the  man  who  never  accepted  an  office, 
but  with  reluctance  ;  and  who  yet  gave  to  every 
office  which  he  filled,  the  ardor,  the  solicitude,  the 
unshrinking,  persevering  toil  which  most  men  give 
to  their  personal  concerns  alone. 

In  speaking  of  national  aberrations  which  Chris- 
tianity is  calculated  to  correct,  it  was  my  purpose 
to  remark  on  the  treatment  which  our  country  has, 
for  some  years,  exhibited  to  many  of  the  Indian 
tribes.  But  on  reflection,  I  shrink  from  it.  Alas  ! 
the  Rubicon  is  past !  We  have  expelled  those  un- 
happy beings  from  their  hunting  grounds,  and  their 
improvements,  from  their  beloved  schools,  and  their 
Christian  temples,  to  the  wildernesses  of  the  distant 
West.  We  have  had  the  power  ;  and  we  have  ex- 
ercised it.  They  have  had  nothing  on  their  side, 
but  justice,  and  the  pledged  faith  of  our  nation ; 
and  they  have  succumbed.  I  have  no  wish  (let  me 
solemnly  declare)  to  cast  reproach  on  my  country, 
or  its  government.  But  as  the  humble  minister  of 
a  just  and  merciful  God,  I  may  be  permitted  to 
grieve — deeply,  inexpressibly  to  grieve — at  this  (I 
fear)  indelible  stain  on  our  nation's  character  and 
annals. 

There  is  an  evil  abroad  in  our  country,  which  has 
been  manifest  for  years,  and  is  perhaps  increasing 
still ;  a  wonderful  excitability  of  the  public  mind. 


34 

Almost  no  subject  of  human  thought  meets,  in  these 
days,  a  cool  investigation,  a  calm  and  philosophic 
discussion,  and  an  unwarped,  impartial  decision. 
The  old  and  safe  method  of  submitting  opinions  to 
the  test  of  principles,  has  been  deserted  as  needless 
and  useless.  Indeed,  so  long  has  there  been  pur- 
sued, in  respect  to  every  thing  deemed  fixed  and 
unquestionable,  a  species  of  undermining  process, 
that  a  great  portion  of  the  community  have  no  set- 
tled principles  at  all.  What  a  precious  field  is  this, 
for  sanguine  theorists,  bold  projectors,  and  restless 
innovators  to  range  in.  How  abundant  the  harvest 
which  they  may  naturally  hope  to  reap.  And  tru- 
ly, the  field  has  neither  been  unoccupied,  nor  has 
the  harvest  been  scant.  So  rapidly  have  plausible 
theories,  and  glittering  novelties,  and  specious,  but 
impracticable  projects  succeeded  each  other,  that  the 
minds  of  men  have  been  absolutely  overborne,  their 
imaginations  dazzled,  and  their  passions  kindled 
into  flame.  The  consequences  have  been  disas- 
trous to  the  cause  of  piety  and  humanity,  and  to 
the  dearest  interests  of  our  common  country.  A 
state  of  collision  and  confusion  has  arisen,  grievous 
for  the  present,  and  boding  tremendous  evil  for  the 
future. 

What  friend  of  God  and  man  does  not  deeply  re- 
gret the  religious  animosities  and  divisions  which 


35 

have  recently  infested  so  great  a  portion  of  our 
land  ?  They  have  given  delight  and  exultation  to 
sceptics,  and  to  infidels ;  to  all  the  enemies  of  piety 
and  virtue.  We  fear  they  have  inflicted  a  wound 
in  the  vital  interests  of  our  country.  These  divi- 
sions, be  it  remembered,  are  not  the  proper  fruits 
of  religion,  but  of  the  errors  and  delinquencies  of 
its  professors.  "  Heaven  and  hell  are  not  more 
distant  than  the  benevolent  spirit  of  the  gospel,  and 
the  malignant  spirit  of  party."  And  when  this 
gospel,  and  this  religion  shall  have  completely  im- 
bued their  votaries  with  their  own  meek,  benign 
and  heavenly  spirit,  then,  and  not  before,  will  these 
deplorable  evils  vanish,  and  the  church  will  stand 
forth  in  its  majesty  and  beauty,  the  glory  of  our 
country,  and  the  light  of  the  world. 

There  are  likewise  excitements  of  a  different  kind 
prevailing,  which,  on  the  present  occasion,  would 
be  passed  in  entire  silence,  were  they  not  viewed 
as  constituting  some  of  the  principal  dangers  of  the 
time.  I  allude  to  the  subject  of  slavery.  Here  I 
shall  speak  with  great  brevity,  and  with  great  cau- 
tion. In  my  judgment,  it  would  be  madness  to  ap- 
ply a  spark  to  that  great  mass  of  combustibles 
which  are  found  in  almost  every  region  of  the  land. 

That  slavery  is  an  immense  and  incalculable  evil, 
I  may  safely  take  for  granted.  In  the  language  of 


36 

the  great  Orator  of  the  West,  it  is  "a  curse — a 
curse  to  the  master;  a  wrong,  a  grievous  wrong,  to 
the  slave.  In  the  abstract,"  he  adds,  "  it  is  all 
wrong,  and  no  possible  contingency  can  make  it 
right. "  If  there  be  meaning  in  words,  the  whole 
system  of  slavery  is  solemnly  repudiated,  both  in 
the  Declaration  of  our  national  Independence,  and 
the  Constitution  of  our  Commonwealth.  Where  is 
the  patriot,  or  the  philanthropist,  who  does  not  ar- 
dently wish  that  the  evil  were  blotted  out  for  ever 
from  our  country  ?  Where  is  the  good  man  in 
New  England  who  would  withhold  any  practicable 
and  justifiable  effort  to  effect  the  consummation  ? 

What  then  is  to  be  done  ? — To  attempt  a  full 
answer  to  this  question,  before  this  assembly, 
would,  in  me,  be  the  height  of  arrogance.  It  is  a 
question  which,  I  verily  believe,  perplexes  the 
strongest  and  most  sagacious  minds.  Without  in- 
decorum, however,  I  may  perhaps  suggest,  in  reply, 
a  few  negative  hints. — We  may  do  nothing  morally 
wrong.  We  may  do  nothing  inconsistent  with  our 
national  Constitution,  or  with  solemn  arrangements 
and  pledges  well  understood.  We  may  do  nothing 
calculated  to  exasperate,  and  to  prolong  the  evils 
to  be  removed.  0,  the  wound  is  deep.  Let  us 
not,  by  our  rashness,  make  it  deeper  still.  The 


disease  is  malignant  and  vital.  Let  not  folly  and 
empiricism  undertake  its  cure. 

In  a  word;  if,  as  is  contended,  the  evil,  though 
partly  political,  is  chiefly  moral,  let  moral  means 
and  appliances  be  the  grand  resort.  Let  religion, 
with  her  deep-seated  wisdom,  her  assuasive  power, 
her  omnipotence  of  meekness  and  of  love,  be  brought 
to  bear  upon  it.  It  is  religion  which  must  open  the 
eyes,  and  soften  the  hearts  of  the  masters.  It  is 
religion  which  must  soothe  and  sustain  the  spirits  of 
the  slaves  while  in  bondage,  and  prepare  them  for 
a  freedom  worth  enjoying.  It  is  religion  which 
must  impart  a  right  and  salutary  direction  to  public 
opinion,  and  to  the  course  of  legislation,  in  the 
states  where  slavery  exists.  And  we  firmly  believe 
that  in  those  states  religion  is,  at  this  moment, 
exerting  a  noiseless,  but  powerful  influence  in  favor 
of  the  slaves  ;  and  that  when  the  wind,  and  the 
earthquake,  and  the  fire  shall  have  spent  their  deso- 
lating rage,  her  still,  small  voice  will  be  heard  with 
most  precious  effect. 

And  what  but  religion  can  becalm  the  agitations 
which  pervade  our  own  distant  Commonwealth  ? 
Surely,  it  is  not  a  small  evil,  when  the  good  are 
arrayed  in  hostility  against  the  good ;  when  ground- 
less jealousies  and  bitter  animosities  are  spread 

abroad  ;  when  the  peace  of  families,  of  neighbor- 
4 


38 

hoods,  of  churches,  of  towns,  of  the  whole  commu- 
nity, is  disturbed  and  destroyed;  when  society  is 
convulsed  to  its  centre,  and  its  component  elements 
almost  dissolved.  And  where  shall  we  find  the 
remedy  ?  It  is  found  in  that  wisdom  which  comes 
from  above,  and  which  is  pure,  peaceable,  gentle,  easy 
to  be  entreated.  It  is  found  in  that  heaven-descended 
charity  which  suffereth  long,  and  is  kind  ;  which 
envieth  not ;  which  vaunteth  not  itself;  which  is  not 
puffed  up  ;  doth  not  behave  itself  unseemly  ;  seeketh  not 
her  own ;  is  not  easily  provoked  ;  thinketh  no  evil ; 
rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but  rejoiceth  in  the  truth  ; 
beareth  all  things,  bclieveth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things, 
endureth  all  things.  If,  in  the  great  mercy  of  God, 
this  spirit  may  once  more  visit  our  community,  our 
wounds  may  yet  be  healed,  and  our  peace  restored. 
If  otherwise,  all  the  evils  we  have  seen  and  felt, 
may  prove  but  the  casual  drops  of  a  cup  of  yet 
untasted  bitterness  ;  the  first  fruits  of  a  harvest  of 
woe. 

But  the  evil  which,  more  than  all  others,  men- 
aces our  public  peace  and  welfare,  is  yet  to  be 
declared.  I  refer  to  the  awful,  and,  it  must  be 
feared,  increasing  prevalence  of  impiety  and  licen- 
tiousness. If,  to  the  most  superficial  observer  who 
looks  abroad  upon  our  country,  there  is  presented  a 
state  of  morals  and  of  manners  which  is  truly 


39 

appalling,  what  must  be  witnessed  by  the  omnipre- 
sent, all-seeing,  all-hearing,  heart-searching  God  ? 
What  estimate  of  our  public  and  individual  charac- 
ter must  be  HIS,  in  whose  sight  the  heavens  are 
not  clean,  nor  the  stainless  angels  pure  ?  There  is 
no  occasion  to  compare  the  state  of  our  morals  with 
that  which  exists  in  Mahomedan  or  Pagan  nations, 
or  in  the  unreformed  or  half-reformed  nations  of 
Europe.  This  might  promote  a  causeless  and  per- 
nicious self-complacency.  We  should  compare  it 
with  the  law  of  the  eternal  God,  and  with  the  holy 
gospel  of  the  Savior.  We  should  compare  it  with 
that  profusion  of  blessings  which  indulgent  Heaven 
has  poured  around  us,  and  with  that  unexampled 
fulness  of  religious  light  and  privileges  in  the  midst 
of  which  we  live.  Tried  by  these  tests,  our  nation- 
al and  individual  guilt  will  assume  a  stain  of  malig- 
nity unknown  and  unsuspected  before.  Is  it  not 
unnatural,  is  it  not  even  horrible,  that  in  such  a 
favored  region,  the  laws  of  God  should  be  trampled 
down,  his  majesty  insulted,  his  sabbaths  desecrated, 
and  the  gospel  of  his  grace  treated  by  thousands 
with  cold  and  thankless  disdain  ?  Do  not  infidelity, 
impiety,  licentiousness,  intemperance,  and  various 
forms  of  profligacy  every  where  abound  ?  Do  not 
vices  and  crimes  of  enormous  size  assail  the  hea- 
vens, and  bid  defiance  to  the  wrath  of  the  Al- 


40 

mighty  ?  And  are  there  not  evident  indications  of 
this  wrath  actually  visiting  us  ?  Are  not  our  public 
counsels  lamentably  divided  ?  Have  not  disaster 
and  disgrace  marked  our  unhallowed  contest  with 
the  Indian  tribes  ?  Is  not  real  distress  experienced 
in  almost  every  portion  of  our  late  flourishing  com- 
munity ?  Are  not  the  seeds  of  disunion  rapidly 
springing  up  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of 
the  land  ?  Is  it  quite  certain  that  our  national 
Constitution,  our  pride  and  our  boast,  will  remain 
through  another  half-century?  Is  it  certain  that 
none  who  now  hear  me,  may  see  this  fair  fabric 
shivered  to  atoms,  and  all  the  hopes  that  have  rest- 
ed on  it,  scattered  to  the  winds  ? 

But  amidst  these  evils  which  exist,  and  these 
dangers  which  threaten,  is  there  no  refuge ;  no 
hope  ?  Yes  ;  there  is  refuge ;  there  is  hope.  Re- 
pentance and  reformation  ;  individual,  national  re- 
pentance and  reformation,  may  yet  save  us.  For 
this  we  have  the  authority  of  God  himself.  If,  says 
this  all-gracious  Being,  "If my  people,  called  by 
my  name,  shall  humble  themselves,  and  pray,  and 
seek  my  face,  and  turn  from  their  wicked  ways, 
then  will  I  hear  from  heaven,  and  forgive  their  sin." 
"At  what  instant  I  shall  speak  concerning  a  nation, 
and  concerning  a  kingdom,  to  pluck  up,  and  to  pull 
down,  and  to  destroy  it ;  if  that  nation  against 


whom  I  have  pronounced,  turn  from  their  evil,  I 
will  repent  of  the  evil  that  I  thought  to  do  unto 
them." — Here,  then,  is  hope,  and  here  alone.  0 
ye  whose  hearts  tremble  for  your  country's  crimes, 
and  bleed  for  your  country's  woes,  carry  that  coun- 
try to  the  throne  of  God.  Commit  its  interests  to 
Him  who  is  mighty  to  save  ;  and  all  may  yet  be 
well.  Let  this  whole  nation,  humbled  in  dust,  con- 
fess its  guilt,  and  return  to  the  forsaken  paths  of 
truth  and  piety;  and  the  days  of  its  peace  and 
prosperity  shall  be  prolonged. 

Let  me  add  ;  It  would  be  most  happy  for  us,  if, 
together  with  a  general  repentance  of  sin,  and 
reformation  of  morals,  and  of  manners,  we  should 
return  to  that  public  policy  which  marked  the  gold- 
en era  of  our  republic  ;  the  era  of  WASHINGTON. 
Unparalleled,  wonderful  man !  The  ornament  of 
his  country.  The  admiration  of  the  world.  The 
blessing  of  his  age,  and  the  bright  model  of  rulers 
of  every  age.  For  who  will  deny,  that  just  so  far 
as  the  principles  of  his  administration  have  been 
pursued,  it  has  been  well  with  us  ?  Who  will  deny 
that  just  so  far  as  they  have  been  forsaken,  we  have 
smarted  for  it  ? 

To  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  our  favored  Common- 
wealth, the  remarks  offered  in  this  discourse,  are, 


42 

with  great  deference,  submitted.  With  scarcely 
the  hope  of  having  suggested  any  thing  not  familiar 
to  his  thoughts,  I  indulge  the  still  more  gratifying 
hope  of  his  accordance  with  the  general  views  ex- 
pressed. May  all  his  efforts  to  promote  the  piety 
and  virtue,  the  peace  and  order,  the  intelligence, 
the  true  glory  and  happiness  of  the  Commonwealth, 
be  divinely  prospered,  and  divinely  rewarded. 
Long  may  he  be  continued  the  ornament  and  bless- 
ing  of  the  community  ;  and  much  may  he  enjoy  of 
the  delight  dearest  to  the  patriot's  heart — the  de- 
light of  witnessing  a  people  happy  in  his  administra- 
tion, elevated  by  his  example,  and  prospered  in  its 
most  precious  interests,  through  his  wise  and  faith- 
ful exertions. 

Permit  me  to  express  the  respects  and  salutations 
of  the  occasion  to  the  Lieutenant  Governor,  the 
Council,  the  Senate,  and  Representatives  of  the 
Commonwealth. 

If,  respected  Friends  and  Legislators,  religion, 
and  the  virtues  which  spring  from  religion,  are  the 
chief  blessings  of  the  community,  then  you  have  a 
holy  and  sublime  part  to  act.  By  just  and  wise 
enactments,  by  laws  founded  in  the  eternal  and  un- 
changing principles  of  truth  and  righteousness,  you 
may  do  much  to  purify  the  sentiments  of  the  com- 
munity, to  elevate  the  standard  of  morals,  and  to 


..;* 


43 

suppress  the  various  forms  of  iniquity.  Permit  me 
to  add ;  you  may  do  still  more  to  effect  these  great 
objects,  by  your  example.  The  wisest  and  best 
laws,  if  disregarded  by  those  who  make  them,  will 
prove  but  a  feeble  barrier  against  the  encroachments 
of  licentiousness  and  vice.  But  there  is  a  beauty,  a 
majesty  in  virtue,  especially  in  Christian  virtue, 
which  overawes,  while  it  attracts  ;  and  which, 
while  it  gives  confidence  to  truth  and  goodness, 
irresistibly  frowns  vice  out  of  countenance.  True  it 
is,  indeed,  that  after  the  best  laws,  and  the  purest 
examples  have  spent  their  force,  there  will  remain 
a  mass  of  disorder  and  wickedness  over  which  the 
patriot  heart  will  bleed.  But  you  serve  a  kind  and 
generous  Master — a  Master  who  will  reward  the 
intention,  and  the  effort,  though  the  accomplish- 
ment should  fail.  If  you  are  faithful,  nothing  shall 
deprive  you  of  his  life-giving,  everlasting  smile. 
You  shall  live,  too,  in  the  memories  and  the  hearts 
of  all  the  good  on  earth  ;  and  having  been  the  or- 
naments of  the  present  age,  you  shall  be  the  bless- 
ings, even  of  a  distant  and  grateful  posterity. 

May  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  the  world  look  down, 
with  a  benignant  eye,  on  our  beloved  Common- 
wealth and  Country. 

May  the  land  of  the  pious  pilgrims — the  land  vis- 
ited by  their  enterprise,  reclaimed  by  their  industry, 


44 

and  hallowed  by  their  prayers — the  land  in  which 
they  planted  the  tree  of  religious  and  civil  liberty — 
remain  the  abode  of  genuine  liberty,  and  pure  reli- 
gion, while  the  world  shall  stand.  May  the  rights, 
the  privileges,  the  invaluable  institutions  which 
they  have  left  us,  be  transmitted,  a  fair  and  unim- 
paired inheritance,  to  the  latest  posterity. 

May  the  Infinite  Being  encircle  in  his  protecting 
arms  these  United  States.  May  the  soil  which  has 
been  wet  with  the  tears  of  patriots,  and  moistened 
with  the  blood  of  brave  defenders,  be  fruitful  in 
every  thing  which  dignifies,  adorns  and  blesses  a 
community.  May  our  Country  attain  the  distin- 
guished honor  of  instructing  the  nations  in  the  mys- 
teries of  a  chastened  liberty,  a  well  regulated  gov- 
ernment, and  a  pure  religion.  Here,  may  myriads 
and  millions  be  trained  to  the  joys  of  a  brighter 
world  ;  and  hence,  may  beams  of  heavenly  light  be 
reflected  through  the  earth,  till  the  PRINCE  OF 
PEACE  shall  come,  and  bless  the  nations  with  his 
holy  and  bloodless  sway. 


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